MALAYSIANSKINI | Kumar Karthigesu first performed the sitar at the tender age of 11 at a 1984 concert, barely a year after he started learning to play the classical stringed instrument.

Today, he has toured the world, been involved in drama productions, recorded albums, and received many notable awards such as the Anugerah Karyawan Seni by the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry in 2009.

Despite the success, Kumar is still brought back to that time in 1984 when he played the sitar in front of a crowd for the first time at a secondary school.

"I remember the excitement of getting onto a stage and the attention and applause I received after performing.

"I guess that contributed to the motivation to keep at it," he told Malaysiakini, noting that a fire was ignited in him, and it hasn't gone out since.

Kumar got his first taste of learning music at the age of...